Sharing is caring!

Lion’s mane mushrooms are a unique variety that’s incredibly delicious! Here’s a recipe for how to cook this tasty shroom!

I love sauteed mushrooms. They are one of my favorite snacks. My most recent addition is a Lion's Mane Mushroom. It came in my food box from Harvest Crate. We have local growers in our area so they are readily available. If there are mushroom lovers out there who have not tried this delicious spore, you are missing out.

I had never heard of this type of mushroom before so I had to do some research before cooking it. What I found was pretty exciting. The health benefits that comes from eating Lion's Mane is unbelievable. In traditional Chinese medicine, this mushroom has been used to treat Alzheimer's and has helped with some cognitive issues. They even make a pill form of this mushroom!

They are the coolest-looking mushrooms I have ever seen! I love all the little tendrils hanging on it, and yes it resembles a Lion's mane for sure. Some people call them pom pom mushrooms.

What is a lion’s mane mushroom?

Here's what I learned during my research about this intriguing mushroom:

The lion’s mane mushroom is a white fungus with a hair-like texture that bears a resemblance to its namesake. It’s also known as the hedgehog mushroom and is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. 

This mushroom is usually found at specialty grocery stores or health food stores. A lot of farmer’s markets have them as well.

There is a lot of info out there about these mushrooms stating that help with Alzheimer's disease. My friend asked me to get some and cook them for her to share with one of her aging clients. This is the best way to make them.

When it’s cooked, this variety of mushrooms is delicate, tender, juicy, and meaty. They have a unique flavor and some people say it tastes like seafood or crab meat. You can find a ton of lion's mane recipes using lion's mane mushrooms on the internet, but for now, let me show you how to cook it.

How to Make This Pan-Fried Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe

Take a clean paper towel and brush the mushrooms off. You may need to wet it a bit to remove any dirt from the mushrooms.

Start by slicing your fresh Lion's Mane mushrooms on a cutting board. I sliced mine about 1/2″ thick.

Now, in a large skillet, preferably a cast iron skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted and the oil is hot, add in the mushrooms. If you are vegan, just use vegan butter.

Add the fresh mushrooms and cook on medium heat until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

Flip and allow the crispy pan-fried mushrooms to cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Season with salt and pepper to bring out the excess moisture in the mushrooms. You want to make sure they get crispy and not soggy. You could even add some onion powder, garlic powder, or a couple of tablespoons of your favorite seasoning mix to these as well. Add other dried seasonings to enhance the flavor.

Use tongs to remove them from the pan and then serve as a side dish, or use the mushrooms as meat for a sandwich!

How to Store Mushrooms

The best place to store mushrooms is in a paper bag placed in a dark and cool location.

Other Uses for Lion's Mane Mushrooms

These mushrooms are so versatile. You can use them in so many ways. I have seen another Lion's mane mushroom recipe recently where they made vegan crab cakes using this variety of mushrooms. The seafood taste makes it perfect for that.

You can also use this to make a great sandwich. The mushrooms taste so meaty and savory, it’s an incredible hearty vegan sandwich.

They are also great in a stir fry as well.

Check Out These Other Mushroom Recipes

• Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
• Shitake Mushroom Sheet Pan Nachos
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta